Barely disguised beneath the unusual features of the xActivity four-wheel drive concept vehicle that BMW will next month unveil at the North American International Auto Show 2003 in Detroit, lurks the production X3 – the Land Rover Freelander rival due out in 2004, writes just-auto.com deputy editor Graeme Roberts.
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In a pre-launch statement BMW says only: “This latest Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) gives some indication of what to expect from any future extension of the X range.”
Yeah, right.
BMW has recently showed near production-ready ‘concepts’ at international motor shows to gauge media reaction and the buying public’s opinion and the xActivity, from the pictures at least, looks so close to Job One as to be anything other than the next X3, thinly disguised.
BMW describes the roofless concept as a ‘frame-structure convertible’, with proportions and design elements “clearly linking it to the X5, but [with] individual qualities that look ahead to what future BMW sports activity vehicle (SAVs) may feature.”
The men from Munich were clearly stung by some negative reviews of the 7-series styling, when the final car was previewed just before its 2001 Frankfurt motor show debut. There was more criticism when the just-launched Z4 was previewed and, again, some negative reaction following the show debut of the convertible ‘concept’ that most industry pundits considered was really a preview of the upcoming ‘1-series’ small car line, which is expected to slot into Munich’s line-up between the Mini and 3-series Compact.
But that small BMW is for the future. For now, although most key styling and mechanical details will have been ‘frozen’, the xActivity will be displayed first at Detroit, leaving just enough time to ascertain media and public reaction and make any minor changes thought necessary before the ’04 public launch of the production X3.
The concept indicates that car will be quite clearly associated with its Big Brother, the X5, still selling strongly several years after launch, and it should lose nothing in the marketplace from retaining the BMW ‘family’ look with its signature ‘twin-nostril’ nose styling.
BMW claims the xActivity’s styling stands out with its “characteristic alternating concave and convex surfaces and double-kidney grille married to distinctive rear end”.
The proportions are typical BMW with a long wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs and flared wheel arches, but the concept’s most visually impressive feature is the frame-structure convertible roof that, its maker says, “combines the open-top enjoyment of a convertible with the robust appearance and structure of an SAV”.
Given the increasing popularity of folding roof tin tops (Peugeot 206CC, Mercedes SL and the upcoming Nissan Micra) as well as full-length opening fabric roofs (Citroen’s Pluriel and Berlingo Multispace, Ford’s Ka, GM’s Corsa), it would not be unreasonable to expect BMW to try some sort of open-roof variant of the X3 in due course. Certainly, that ‘frame structure’ looks like it would not take too much additional engineering to incorporate an electric sliding fabric roof, and there is no shortage of specialists in both Europe and the US to do so.
In fact, BMW has outsourced some of the xAxtivity/X3’s development to Magna, which will also build 60,000 a year in its Austrian factory.
On the concept, reinforced, longitudinal rails connect the A-pillars to the rear of the car on both sides, negating the need for B- or C-pillars and giving the new SUV a distinctive sporty look, ideal to rival Ford’s three-door Land Rover with its removable front and rear roof panels and optional hardtop.
The BMW concept is finished in a combination of matt and gloss surfaces in ‘Bronze Moss’ paint that alternates between bronze, green and blue-grey depending on how light reflects off the vehicle’s surfaces.
Inside, BMW has chosen materials for the xActivity that are both hard-wearing and high quality with natural cowhide and neoprene offering distinct and stylish contrasts.
The most impressive technological feature is the use of ‘smart materials’ for the vehicle’s seats that eliminate the need for electric or manual seat adjustment. The seat structures themselves are made from newly developed pressure-sensitive materials that allow adjustment solely through applying pressure to the seat components themselves.
Another innovation is an unconventional loading system provides new levels of practicality. As soon as the split tailgate is opened the contents of the loading area are automatically extracted to a far more convenient position and angle outside the vehicle’s body reducing the potential muscle-stretching pressures of traditional unloading actions. No more bad backs, perhaps?
The authoritative UK car magazine Autocar says production X3s will have a split tailgate but it will be side-hinged, like the Freelander’s. That will mean, though, that the kerbside opening could be on the “wrong” side for right hand drive cars.
The xActivity shares its 231 bhp, 3.0-litre, straight six engine with the X5 and numerous other BMW models and we can expect the production X3 to also add the three-litre turbodiesel and possible the 2.5-litre petrol six as well. Autocar claims that BMW has ruled out four-cylinder engines (which the Freelander rival offers) due to the car’s substantial weight and size – it’s only 117mm shorter than an X5.
But we would not rule out one of Germany’s specialist tuners shoe-horning in one of Munich’s V8s – as has already been done with the 3-series. We’d expect a factory-built M six-cylinder version from BMW, regardless, including perhaps a diesel now that Mercedes offers AMG oil-burners.
BMW is coy about most mechanical details, admitting to little more than four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, plus 245/45 front and 275/40 rear tyres on distinctive 18″ rims.
Autocar says the basic platform and driveline mechanicals have been adapted from the four-wheel drive 330iX line sold in Europe. That system biases the drive to the rear, as is also the case with the X5. Available transmissions are likely to include a five-speed manual with the 7-series’ new six-speed ZF automatic (also now in Audi’s A8) as an option, the magazine adds.
BMW’s pre-Detroit show statement says that a low centre of gravity and well-balanced suspension are combined with a brand new electronic driver control system that offers traction control delivered individually to each of the four wheels. This provides optimum off-road performance as the ideal amount of slip can be channelled to specific wheels in slippery conditions.
At Detroit, alongside the xActivity, BMW will also unveil new six-speed manual and SMG gearboxes for the facelifted 3 Series coupe and convertible models which will also feature the company’s first adaptive headlights and two-stage brake lights.
A brand new hydrogen powered 7 series, the 8 cylinder 745h, will also debut.
